Clinical Trials for Head And Neck Cancer

A Phase 1b/2a Study to Assess the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Preliminary Efficacy of TU2218, an Oral TGFβR Serine/Threonine Kinase Inhibitor, Administered in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

TrialFetch AI summary: Adults with advanced unresectable/metastatic solid tumors lacking effective options receive TU2218 (oral dual ALK5/TGFBR1 and VEGFR2 inhibitor targeting TGF-β/VEGF-mediated immunosuppression) plus pembrolizumab; expansion cohorts include PD-(L)1–naïve or post-platinum HNSCC (PD-L1 CPS ≥1 for naïve), biliary tract cancer after standard therapy, and PD-(L)1–naïve pMMR/MSS colorectal cancer after ≥2 lines (excluding CRC with liver metastases). Suitable for ECOG 0–1; key exclusions include active CNS disease, significant cardiovascular disease, active autoimmune disease requiring systemic therapy, prior TGF-β inhibitors, prior PD-(L)1 in specified cohorts, and certain drug–drug interactions.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05784688

A Phase 1/2 Immunotherapy Study of Evofosfamide in Combination with Zalifrelimab and Balstilimab in Patients with Advanced Solid Malignancies

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

TrialFetch AI summary: Adults with metastatic CRPC, pancreatic cancer, or HPV-negative SCCHN lacking effective options receive triplet therapy with evofosfamide (hypoxia-activated DNA crosslinking prodrug) plus zalifrelimab (anti–CTLA-4) and balstilimab (anti–PD-1). Open-label dose-escalation followed by disease-specific expansions; key exclusions include significant prior immune toxicity, active autoimmune disease, QTc ≥470 msec/TdP risk, uncontrolled CNS disease/infections, and use of strong/moderate CYP3A4 modulators or QT-prolonging drugs.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06782555

A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study of MK-2870 With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and Chemotherapy in Participants With 1L Locally Advanced Unresectable/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (Gastric Adenocarcinoma, Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma, and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma): Substudy 06C

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

TrialFetch AI summary: First-line study in adults with HER2-negative (or not known positive) unresectable/metastatic gastric/GEJ/esophageal adenocarcinoma (ECOG 0–1) comparing pembrolizumab plus fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin chemotherapy versus the same backbone combined with sacituzumab tirumotecan (MK-2870), a TROP2-directed antibody–drug conjugate delivering a belotecan-derived topoisomerase I inhibitor. Safety lead-in determines RP2D, then randomized assessment of response, PFS, and OS.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06469944

A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of MK-2870 Plus Paclitaxel as the Second-Line Treatment of Participants With Advanced/Metastatic Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma: Substudy 06D

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

TrialFetch AI summary: Adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic gastric/GEJ/esophageal adenocarcinoma after exactly one prior platinum/fluoropyrimidine regimen (HER2-negative or unknown) are randomized to sacituzumab tirumotecan (TROP2-directed ADC with a topoisomerase I payload) plus paclitaxel versus standard ramucirumab plus paclitaxel. Excludes squamous histology and patients with significant comorbidities (e.g., grade ≥2 neuropathy, ocular surface disease, active CNS mets, recent arterial events, prior VEGF/VEGFR therapy, or prior TROP2/topo I ADCs).

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06445972

A Phase 1B, Multicenter, Open-Label Study of the Safety and Efficacy of CHS-114 in Combination With Toripalimab With or Without Other Treatments in Participants With Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

TrialFetch AI summary: Adults with unresectable, advanced/metastatic gastric/GEJ/esophageal adenocarcinoma (HER2‑negative, MSS/pMMR) in the 2L setting and ESCC in 1L or 2L receive the anti‑CCR8 monoclonal antibody CHS‑114 (depletes intratumoral CCR8+ Tregs via enhanced ADCC/ADCP) plus the PD‑1 inhibitor toripalimab, with cisplatin/5‑FU added in 1L ESCC. Requires measurable disease and tissue; excludes active CNS metastases and prior anti‑CCR8.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06657144

Phase I Trial of CA-4948 in Combination With FOLFOX/PD-1 Inhibitor +/- Trastuzumab for Untreated Unresectable Gastric and Esophageal Cancer

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

TrialFetch AI summary: First-line treatment for adults with unresectable/metastatic gastric, GEJ, or esophageal adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma (ECOG 0–1), testing oral IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib (CA‑4948; targets TLR/IL‑1R→NF‑κB signaling, with FLT3/CLK activity) added to mFOLFOX7 plus PD‑1 blockade. HER2‑negative patients receive emavusertib + mFOLFOX7 + nivolumab; HER2‑positive patients receive emavusertib + mFOLFOX7 + pembrolizumab + trastuzumab.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05187182

A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study of Investigational Agents With or Without Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and/or Chemotherapy in Participants With Advanced Esophageal Cancer Previously Exposed to PD-1/PD-L1 Treatment (KEYMAKER-U06): Substudy 06B

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

TrialFetch AI summary: Adults with metastatic or unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who progressed after one prior platinum regimen that included PD‑1/PD‑L1 therapy; compares standard second-line paclitaxel or irinotecan versus investigational sacituzumab tirumotecan (TROP2-directed topoisomerase I ADC), with previously planned pembrolizumab/MK‑4830 combinations closed to enrollment. Primary focus is safety and objective response with blinded central review, with secondary endpoints including PFS and OS.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05319730

Phase 1b/2a Study of RiMO-301 and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy With A PD-1 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Unresectable, Recurrent or Metastatic Head-Neck Cancer

Active drug

Investigational drug(s) in this trial have shown anticancer activity in clinical trials

High burden on patient

The trial has a high burden on patients. An example would be a phase 1 trial with extra tumor biopsies and frequent pharmacokinetic blood draws.

TrialFetch AI summary: Adults with unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma needing palliative RT and with an injectable lesion receive intratumoral RiMO-301 (hafnium-based radioenhancer) plus a PD-1 inhibitor (pembrolizumab or nivolumab) followed by hypofractionated radiotherapy. Suitable for ECOG 0–2 patients eligible for PD-1 therapy; excludes symptomatic CNS disease and active autoimmune conditions requiring recent systemic therapy.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05838729

Decentralized Pilot Study of Triple Oral Metronomic Chemotherapy for Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Oral Cavity Cancer in a Rural Midwest United States Population

Low burden on patient

The trial has a low burden on patients. An example would be a trial testing an oral drug, with scans every 12 weeks which would be similar to standard of care.

TrialFetch AI summary: Adults with recurrent/metastatic oral cavity cancer after or ineligible for standard first-line immunotherapy/chemo-immunotherapy (ECOG 0–2) receive a fully oral metronomic regimen of methotrexate (antifolate), erlotinib (EGFR TKI), and celecoxib (COX‑2 inhibitor) in 28‑day cycles, delivered with decentralized/virtual components. Excludes significant cardiac risk, active serious infection/bleeding, uncontrolled viral hepatitis/HIV, pregnancy, and concurrent investigational therapy.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06997068

A Phase 2 Trial of Intraoperative Fluorescent Angiography to Decrease Pharyngocutaneous Fistula Rates in Patients Undergoing Hypopharyngeal Reconstruction

Low burden on patient

The trial has a low burden on patients. An example would be a trial testing an oral drug, with scans every 12 weeks which would be similar to standard of care.

TrialFetch AI summary: Adults with previously irradiated stage II–IV laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing salvage total laryngectomy receive intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography with the SPY system to assess mucosal perfusion, with resection of hypoperfused tissue prior to reconstruction. ICG is a near-infrared fluorescent dye used for real-time perfusion imaging, aiming to reduce postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula, particularly in intraoperatively defined high-risk cases.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06831149